This month we are honored to feature the X-Ray Imaging Center (XIC) based at the Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) in Pohang, South Korea. The X-Ray Imaging Center, supported by the Creative Research Initiatives (CRI) Program of the Korean Ministry of Education, was established in 2006 to conduct frontier research on the core technology of ‘functional X-ray imaging’. Functional X-ray imaging is aimed at imaging and characterizing the nanometric and dynamic behavior of the internal structure of matter. The center is currently led by Prof. Jung Ho Je and Prof. Byung Mook Weon.

The research approaches soft matter imaging in a unique fashion by using real-time in-situ X-ray imaging coupled with X-ray-responsive soft matterials. The novel interaction of X-ray photons and soft materials opens potential opportunities for the control and study of multi-phase systems while being able to observe them in real time. With this approach X-rays are used to trigger dynamic behavior changes in soft systems. For example, hard X-rays are used to trigger a decrease in the surface tension of pure water droplets at the air/water interface. This method is further used to induce changes in the wettability of a variety of inorganic substances. This research can be used in many devices such as biosensors, microfluidic tools, and intelligent membranes.

Other research interests include x-ray biomedical imaging, allowing for much higher contrast than conventional methods while reducing the need for contrasting agents, and nanomaterial fabrication.

The website contains PDF’s of publications, great research images and details on their research facilities.